Entries by Matthew Ma

Hamburg Customs Seizes Illegal Vapes, Prevents €730k Tax Loss

Customs investigators in Hamburg, Germany, have dismantled a significant illegal e-cigarette operation, seizing nearly 3,000 liters of illicit vape liquid and preventing an estimated €730,000 in tax losses. Officials announced the successful raid on Wednesday, confirming the provisional arrest of four suspects linked to gang-related tax evasion.

Limeira: First Brazilian City to Ban Vapes in Public Spaces

The city of Limeira, located in the interior of São Paulo, has become the first in Brazil to implement a law restricting the use of electronic cigarettes in public spaces. The new legislation, which also prohibits the sale and consumption of these devices by minors under the age of 18, aims to protect the health […]

Greece Considers Ban on Flavored E-Cigarettes

Greece’s conservative government is preparing a bill that would ban all flavored alternative tobacco products, with the exception of natural tobacco and mint flavors, as part of a broader effort to restrict minors’ access to alcohol and tobacco products. The move follows incidents of teenagers fainting in a nightclub after consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, […]

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US-China Vape Tariffs (>100%): Navigating the Impact on Industry & US Consumers

The complex web of international trade significantly influences the global vaping market, particularly the relationship between the United States and China. China stands as the dominant manufacturing powerhouse for the vast majority of vape hardware—devices, pods, coils, batteries—that fill the shelves of American vape shops and convenience stores. However, recent dramatic escalations in US trade […]

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Russia Cuts Smoking Rate by More Than Half Since 2009

Russia has seen a significant decline in the number of smokers since 2009, with the smoking rate among adults aged 15 and above dropping from 39.5% to 18.6%, according to Health Minister Mikhail Murashko. The minister credited the success to the implementation of anti-tobacco measures in the country. The announcement was made during the 2nd […]

Louisiana Lawmakers Approve Vape Tax Hike, Reject Cigarette Tax

The Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee has taken a split stance on tobacco taxation, approving a bill to increase the state tax on vapes and e-cigarettes while rejecting a proposal to raise the tax on traditional cigarettes. The vote against the cigarette tax hike was 7-4, while the legislation to increase the tax on […]

Wisconsin Sees Decline in Underage Tobacco and Vape Sales in 2024

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has announced a noteworthy decrease in the rate of underage tobacco and vape sales by retailers in 2024. According to the annual Synar Survey, a statewide assessment of retailer violation rates, the percentage of retailers selling to underage consumers dropped from 13.6% in 2023 to 11.8% in 2024. […]

Illegal Vapes Targeting Teens Openly Displayed at Public Expos

Across the country, flashy and highly publicized conventions are showcasing an endless array of products that are not only illegal under federal law but also dangerous, addictive, and targeting America’s youth. At a recent expo in Miami, a dazzling display of e-cigarettes, or vapes, featured a wide range of enticing flavors, from Banana Taffy and […]

South Korea E-Liquid Imports Surge Amid Synthetic Nicotine Loophole

South Korea witnessed a dramatic rise in e-liquid imports last year, reaching $85.64 million – a 39.5% increase from 2023, according to customs data. This upward trend continues, with first-quarter 2025 imports already up 8.5% year-over-year. Critics argue this surge highlights a significant “regulatory blind spot” concerning synthetic nicotine.